Very Cool New Compact Digital Cameras

[SHIVA]

Panasonic DMC-LX2
* MSRP: $499.95
* 10.2 Megapixel Resolution
* 4x Optical Zoom Lens (28-112mm)
* MEGA Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)
* 16:9 wide aspect ratio CCD
* Intelligent ISO Control (IIC) Technology
* Full Manual Control including Manual Focus via a Joystick
* Maximum ISO 1600 (full resolution)
* 13 MB Built-in Memory
* Extended Battery Life (up to 300 pictures per charge)
* Print Mode Button
* RAW file editing software
* Available September 2006

[Dendang]

I think there is a full Leica version coming soon, it should look cooler. I imagine it will have better glass (even though the panasonic one says Leica on the lens).

[SHIVA]

the Leica is totally based on the Panasonic, they only put a Leica badge on it, simplify the design and increase the price... S

[SHIVA]

Check out an example of widescreen video that these Panasonic cameras can shoot... Wow!... S


http://img2.dpreview.com/reviews/FZ50/P1020291.MOV

[SHIVA]

This is the same Lumix LX2 camera re-badged as a Leica D-Lux 3.

[SHIVA]

This is another great compact camera, brand new by Canon, G7.

[CamNeelyphile]

Shiva, I'm a "newb" but would like the best camera I can buy. What would you recommend?

[SHIVA]

whats your budget and do you want it small enough to put it in your pants pocket? if yes the above Canon is too big, it's about 2" thick. the LX2 is only 1" thick. I would get that one. It's a very good super compact camera and has every single feature under the sun. in the US it goes for about $450. S

[CamNeelyphile]

Unlimited budget and 2" thickness wouldn't bother me. I would prefer smaller, not micro.... but with superior zoom capabilities and an "idiot" mode.

[SHIVA]

oh, they all have idiot mode. even real pro cameras.

so, think about it, if you have a camera that is only 1" thick, chances are you can take it with you anywhere. but if you want long zoom that is also smallish, then get the Canon G7 (above). The Canon's zoom goes from 35-210mm. the LX2 goes from a wide angle 28mm to 112mm. 28mm means you can stand close to something and grab a lot of the image in front of you. so you gain some and you lose some. in general you can't go wrong with Canon.

if you want real long zoom, they have ones that go all the way to 400 or so. but they get bigger.

you don't want a SLR type where you have to hang it on your neck do you?

here's another nice one, the zoom goes to 400mm+ and its under $400.

Canon S3.

[CamNeelyphile]

No man, no SLR for me. I'm still using my old Brownie Hawkeye. Thanks for the info, you talked me into the Canon G7.

[andy griff]

I've had both the G2 ( stolen in Hong Kong) and the G6. They have both done great service. They are big though. If I'm ski-ing the G6 is too big to carry in a pocket and so i'll have to carry a ruck sack. However, it will take great pictures and has a hot shoe for a serious flash gun which makes all the difference to indoor shots. It can also take a x2 magnifier which is a sort of telephoto lens. All in all a great camera. I've now bougth a Canon Ixus 75. This is almost as good as the G6 and will fit nicely into a pocket so I always keep it with me.

In case it helps..............

[SHIVA]

Hi, So these cameras are finally out and I got to play with all 3. The Panasonic Lumix LX2, Leica D-Lux3 and Canon G7.

Although initially I was leaning toward the LX2 or D-Lux 3, I am now heavily in favor of the G7. This camera simply feels great in the hand and it's pretty compact. Actually it is thinner than the LX2, which is a real surprise. LX2 with its lens retracted and a lens cap is almost 2" and about 1/2" thicker than the G7.

[CoryK1200S]

How do they compare in image quality? Going to guess that they are about even. If size wasn't an issue which would you go with. I'm semi skilled with cameras and would like to get a nice general purpose digital. These two look to be near the top of my list.

[SHIVA]

opps, sorry, I missed this post...

I have played with both and actually had a Press version of the Leica D-Lux 3 for a few days. I was disappointed in the Leica. The image quality is simply not good enough, compare to the Canon. The Pana and Leica are basically the same. Also the G7 can take external flash systems, which can come in handy, also additional extended lenses. The LCD on the G7 is for wide viewing, meaning you can look at it from the top, the bottom and sides. I am at this point pretty much sold on the G7. I am waiting to get a press version from Canon for a review in Iron Horse. Check out this image that someone took with the G7. This is a very difficult shot for a digicam to get right and I think it's pretty incredible... (look at how light the skin tone is, yet it's not blown, and check out how amazing every strand of hair looks...) S

[CoryK1200S]

Holy high definition camera Batman! That is amazing. Look towards the hair on the back of the kids head they are still very defined. My dad's 5 megapixel Sony would have just blured them together.

[sfarson]

These are great digital cameras. Only hesitation I have is the OIS (Optical Image Stabilzation) feature. While they are fantastic for still images and hand held motion/movie recording, they can't handle the high frequency buzz of mechanical devices like motorcycles. I've learned the hard way after buying them, and motorycle mounting companies note the same. The images look fuzzy. Digital or Electronic Image Stabilization is what to look for if the intent is recording a movie from a camera connected to a bike, despite it not being the latest IS technology... though Sony offers excellent state-of-the-art IS while not being OIS.

Perhaps Panasonic and others will improve OIS to work from moving machines, for I've noted this at Panasonic forums and it is recognized as an "opportunity area".

[SHIVA]

hi, knowing that you can always turn them off (the IS), makes them a great addition on any lens or camera. there are as you know 3 ways to achieve this, one of them is cheating. OIS (optical image stabilization), which places tiny gyroscopes inside the lens. incredibly effective and it is used on pro lenses. CCD Shake where the sensor is moved to compensate. and lastly where they just up the ISO (light sensitivity) to compensate for low light (which is cheating).

I think the one that is universally liked is the OIS. They normally offer that in two settings, always on, and on only when you take an image. for the movie mode you can only select always on. it works quite good for day to day use, however, I am not sure if the engineers of these consumer digicams had the bikers in mind.

but I think it should work fine on such a smooth bike as a K. on twins, it would of course be a different story. S

[sfarson]

All I know is in my search to correct OIS inability to work on a motorcycle, even smooth I-4's , trying every trick in the book including turning off the OIS and trying all sorts of manual settings, following suggestions from Panasonic and other cam forum experts... nothing has worked. Fuzzy recordings result. Mounting companies have noted the same, recommending non OIS cameras until there is an OIS that can compensate for high freq buzz. Even with OIS off it still doesn't work, which surprises me and others. Oh well.

[SHIVA]

have you tried other brands of digicams? are you only using a panasonic?

[SHIVA]

OK, a few months later, we have learned that the Panasonic LX2 really wasn't a serious contender, and Canon G7 is currently THE best digicam on the market.

However, there is now something new and this time from Sony.



That amazing camera above is a Sony H9, with a 3", hi-rez, articulating screen and a night shot (shoot in total darkness military style), plus 15X zoom and possibly the fastest focusing time of any digicam to date... It takes good pictures too and it's relatively small for all its accomplishments... S

[CoryK1200S]

Very nice, but I've never been a Sony fan. (Especially after killing a live goat and gutting it at their God of War II party. I'm not joking.) Also as my dad had to find out the hard way having to use the Sony proprietary memory sticks can be a pain. The speed at which it saves the pictures to memory is very fast though.

[SHIVA]

Canon just today announced the new S5... 8MP sensor and a 2.5" fully articulating lcd screen. Not bad at all... S

[SHIVA]

well, in a day or so, a lot of new cameras will be announced for the fall season. this maybe the most significant time in digital camera manufacturing, as technology makes a leap forward.

Two significant new DSLR cameras will be announced by monday or tuesday by Canon.

1- the new $8,000, 1DS MkIII, with 21 mega pixel, full frame sensor and 3" screen.
2- The new $1,200, 40D, with 10 mega pixel, very fast 6.5 frame per second and also 3" screen.

Also, Canon is going to announce a successor to the very fine G7 mentioned above, possibly be called a G8 or G9.

Look for Sony to release a T200 with 3.5" screen, all touch screen features with smile detection... Wicked new technology, that will trigger the shutter when your subject smiles...

stay tuned... S

[CamNeelyphile]

Blasphemous bastages, I was just getting to know my G7!! The old technological obsolesence trick huh?
That was a great tip Shiva and again I thank you.